Prosecution Tracing 10 Billion Won Flows into Private Organization for Presidential Election

The prosecution is investigating where Choi Don-woong, the congressman of GNP (Grand National Party) who received 10 billion, used this money.

Prosecutors are investigating whether Choi used the reserves on the pubic organization of the GNP or on his private organization in the presidential election last year. The prosecutors are also tracing the accounts of Choi and summoning the people who were involved in carrying out the reserves.

However, Choi Don-woong, has denied receiving the reserves, and the prosecution plans to press Choi through evidence it has obtained.

The prosecution noticed the time when the reserves were issued because it is possible that 10 billion won could be carried out beforehand to the congressman Choi ahead of the election of the presidential candidates between Roh Moo-hyun (candidate from Democratic Party) and Jung Mong-joon (candidate from the National Alliance 21).

The prosecution thought that SK Group had predicted the winning of GNP in the presidential election, built up the reserves secretly, and subsequently delivered the money to the GNP while discussing with Choi.

“Last December, all 2.5 billion won that SK provided to Lee Sang-su of the United New Party were from checks, while this 10 billion won was carried out by cash. Therefore, it is greatly possible that this money was used as illegal funds for presidential election,” the prosecution added.

Besides this, it will be a hot issue that Lee Hoi-chang, the former GNP chairman, is recognized about the promotion of the Choi’s reserves in advance.

Choi and the former GNP chairman Lee are alumni from Kyunggi high school, and Choi is one of Lee’s close associates.

Of course it is possible that Choi used the money privately. In relation to this scandal, a high-ranking member of the prosecution fiercely criticized the politicians’ accumulation of wealth illegally.

However, the reserves Choi received from SK were all in cash, and it was impossible to trace the accounts. It is unknown that the prosecutions can clarify the usage of the reserves one by one.

Jin-Kyun Kil leon@donga.com